Category: History - American

Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 From Lincoln to Garfield, with a Review of the Events Which Led to the Political Revolution of 1860

ANDREW JOHNSON INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT.--CABINET AND SENATORS WITNESSES TO THE CEREMONY.--RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW PRESIDENT DELICATE IN CHARACTER.--REQUIRING THE HIGHEST ORDER OF STATESMANSHIP.--THE QUESTION OF RECONSTRUCTION.--ITS PECULIAR DIFFICULTIES.--NEW AND PERPLEXING...

Chapters

59. CHAPTER XXIX.

During the latter years of General Grant's Presidency there had been some suggestion of his election for a third term. The proposition, however, did not meet with favor. Several...

44. CHAPTER XIV.

As the result of the great victory over the President in the political contest of 1866, and of his stubborn maintenance of a hostile attitude, the ardent and extreme men of the...

41. CHAPTER XI.

The rejoicing over the result of the elections throughout the free States had scarcely died away when the Thirty-ninth Congress met in its second session (December 3, 1866). The...

42. CHAPTER XII.

The Fortieth Congress met at the very moment the Thirty-ninth closed--on the fourth day of March, 1867. The valedictory words of the presiding officers in both branches were fol...

39. CHAPTER IX.

The controversies between the President and Congress, thus far narrated, did not involve what have since been specifically known as the Reconstruction measures. Those were yet t...

50. CHAPTER XX.

The civil war closed with ill-feeling amounting to resentment towards England on the part of the loyal citizens of the United States. They believed that the Government of Great...

36. CHAPTER VI.

During the progress of events in the South, briefly outlined in the preceding chapter, the Thirty-ninth Congress came together--on the first Monday of December, 1865. The Senate...

55. CHAPTER XXV.

Between 1860 and 1876 the Presidential nominations of the Republican party had been predetermined and practically unopposed. The second nomination of Mr. Lincoln and the two nom...

35. CHAPTER V.

A great opportunity was now given to the South. It was given especially to the leading men of the South. Only a few weeks before, they had all been expecting harsh treatment, ma...

40. CHAPTER X.

The hostility of the President to all measures which the Republican party deemed necessary for the proper reconstruction of the Southern States, had made a deep impression upon...

38. CHAPTER VIII.

With the disposition manifested in both Houses of Congress it was feared that the conflict between the Legislative and Executive Departments of the Government would assume a vir...

34. CHAPTER IV.

Declining to seek the advice of Congress in the embarrassments of his position, President Johnson necessarily subjected himself to the counsel and influence of his Cabinet. He h...

57. CHAPTER XXVII.

The question of the fisheries has been in dispute between Great Britain and the United States for more than seventy years. During that period it has been marked by constantly re...

43. CHAPTER XIII.

The financial experience of the Government of the United States in the years following the war is without precedent among nations. When Congress first met after the close of hos...

33. CHAPTER III.

Mr. Johnson continued his public receptions, his interviews and his speeches for nearly a month after his accession to the Presidency--until indeed, in the judgment of his most...

45. CHAPTER XV.

The stirring events which preceded the Presidential campaign of 1868 brought both parties to that contest with aroused feeling and earnest purpose. The passionate struggle of wh...

48. CHAPTER XVIII.

--Hannibal Hamlin of Maine, entered the Senate for the fourth time. His first election in 1848, to fill out the term of ex-Governor Fairfield, was for three years. He resigned a...

56. CHAPTER XXVI.

President Hayes was inaugurated on the 5th day of March (1877)--the 4th falling on a Sunday. As matter of precaution the oath of office was administered to him by Chief Justice...

37. CHAPTER VII.

The debate on the direct question of Reconstruction did not begin at so early a date in the Senate as in the House, but kindred topics led to the same line of discussion as that...

52. CHAPTER XXII.

The Presidential canvass of 1872 was anomalous in its character. Never before or since has a great party adopted as its candidate a conspicuous public man, who was not merely ou...

58. CHAPTER XXVIII.

The last session of the Forty-fifth Congress closed without making provision for the expenses of the Legislative, Executive and Judicial departments, or for the support of the a...

53. CHAPTER XXIII.

The friends of General Grant intended that his second inauguration (March 4, 1873) should be even more impressive than the first; but the skies were unpropitious, and the day wi...

49. CHAPTER XIX.

The chief interest in the events of General Grant's first term was divided between questions of a diplomatic character and those arising from the condition of the South after Re...

31. CHAPTER I.

Abraham Lincoln expired at twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock on the morning of April 15, 1865. Three hours later, in the presence of all the members of the Cabinet except M...

32. CHAPTER II.

From saddening associations with the tragical death of Mr. Lincoln, popular attention was turned three weeks after his interment to a great military display in the Capital of th...

47. CHAPTER XVII.

General Grant was inaugurated on Thursday, the 4th of March, 1869, amid a great display of popular enthusiasm. All parties joined in it. The Republicans, who had been embarrasse...

46. CHAPTER XVI.

While the result of the Presidential election of 1868 was, upon the record of the electoral votes, an overwhelming victory for the Republican party and its illustrious candidate...

51. CHAPTER XXI.

The opening of the Forty-second Congress, on the 4th of March, 1871, was disfigured by an act of grave injustice committed by the Senate of the United States. Charles Sumner was...

54. CHAPTER XXIV.

The course of President Grant's Administration in regard to the Finances had proved in all respects successful. The first bill which received his signature was the Act "to stren...

2. CHAPTER I.

ANDREW JOHNSON INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT.--CABINET AND SENATORS WITNESSES TO THE CEREMONY.--RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW PRESIDENT DELICATE IN CHARACTER.--REQUIRING THE HIGHEST ORDE...

6. CHAPTER V.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO THE SOUTH.--THEIR RESPONSE TO THE PRESIDENT'S TREATMENT.--NORTHERN DESIRE FOR RESTORATION OF THE UNION.-- SOUTH DOES NOT RESPOND TO IT.--SOUTHERN RECO...

7. CHAPTER VI.

MEETING OF THE THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.--RE-ELECTION OF SPEAKER COLFAX.-- HIS ADDRESS ON TAKING THE CHAIR.--THADDEUS STEVENS MOVES FOR A COMMITTEE OF RECONSTRUCTION.--RESISTED BY...

15. CHAPTER XIV.

IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.--FIRST MOVEMENT THERETO.--MR. ASHLEY'S GRAVE CHARGES.--GENERAL GRANT'S IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.-- JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DIVIDE.--IMPEACHMENT DEFEATED...

5. CHAPTER IV.

PRESIDENT JOHN AND THE CABINET.--EFFECT OF VICE-PRESIDENT'S ACCESSION. --EXAMPLE OF TYLER IN 1841 AND FILLMORE IN 1850.--A VICE-PRESIDENT'S DIFFICULT POSITION.--PERSONNEL OF CAB...

12. CHAPTER XI.

SECOND SESSION THIRTY-NINTH CONGRESS.--PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.--REPEATS THE FORMER RECOMMENDATIONS.--MISCHIEVOUS EFFECT PRODUCED IN THE SOUTH. --THE TEN CONFEDERATES STATES VOTE ON...

11. CHAPTER X.

A CABINET CRISIS.--RESIGNATION OF WILLIAM DENNISON, POSTMASTER-GENERAL, JAMES SPEED, ATTORNEY-GENERAL, AND JAMES HARLAN, SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.--SUCCEEDED RESPECTIVELY BY AL...

10. CHAPTER IX.

CONTEST BETWEEN PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.--POINTS OF DIFFERENCE.--WHAT CONGRESS INSISTED ON.--REQUIRED DEFINITION OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.-- POLITICAL DISABILITIES.--THE PUBLIC CR...

8. CHAPTER VII.

SENATE DEBATE ON RECONSTRUCTION.--SPEECH OF MR. WILSON.--DENOUNCES THE PRO-SLAVERY STATUTES OF SOUTHERN STATES.--REPLY OF REVERDY JOHNSON.-- MR. SUMNER SUSTAINS MR. WILSON.--SPE...

9. CHAPTER VIII.

THE PRESIDENT OFFENDED.--ADVERSE VOTE IN CONGRESS SURPRISES HIM.-- FREEDMEN'S BUREAU ESTABLISHED.--MAJOR-GENERAL HOWARD APPOINTED COMMISSIONER.--HIS CHARACTER.--DEFICIENCY OF TH...

4. CHAPTER III.

THE RECONSTRUCTION PROBLEM.--THE PRESIDENT'S PUBLIC ADDRESSES.--TIME FOR ACTION ARRIVED.--PROCLAMATION DECLARING HOSTILITIES CEASED.--MANNER OF DEALING WITH INSURRECTIONARY STAT...

13. CHAPTER XII.

MEETING OF FORTIETH CONGRESS, MARCH 4TH, 1867.--CONSPICUOUS CHANGES IN SENATE AND HOUSE.--CAMERON, CONKLING, MORTON, IN SENATE.--BUTLER, PETERS, BECK, IN HOUSE.--MR. JAMES BROOK...

14. CHAPTER XIII.

GOVERNMENT FINANCES AFTER THE WAR.--DIFFICULTIES OF THE SITUATION.-- INTREPIDITY OF CONGRESS.--ITS GREAT TASK.--$600,000,000 BILL.--SUMMARY OF PUBLIC DEBT, DECEMBER, 1865.--FUND...

3. CHAPTER II.

MILITARY REVIEW IN HONOR OF UNION VICTORY.--THE EASTERN AND WESTERN ARMIES.--THEIR GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS.--SPECIAL INTEREST.--NUMBER OF BATTLES DURING THE WAR.--NUMBER EACH YEAR.--...

17. CHAPTER XVI.

REPUBLICAN VICTORY OF 1868 ANALYZED.--MR. SEYMOUR'S STRENGTH UNEXPECTEDLY GREAT.--ASTOUNDING DEFECTION OF CERTAIN STATES.-- DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, AND OREGO...

16. CHAPTER XV.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1868.--REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AT CHICAGO.--GENERAL GRANT THE CLEARLY INDICATED CANDIDATE OF HIS PARTY.-- CONTEST FOR THE VICE-PRESIDENCY.--WADE,...

23. CHAPTER XXII.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1872.--LIBERAL REPUBLICAN MOVEMENT.--ITS ORIGIN.--DIVISION IN MISSOURI.--GRATZ BROWN, BLAIR, SCHURZ.--CONTEST IN NEW YORK.--GREELEY, FENTON, CONKLING.--...

30. CHAPTER XXIX.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1880.--THIRD TERM SUGGESTED.--CHICAGO CONVENTION.--EXCITING CONTEST.--MANY BALLOTINGS.--NOMINATION OF GENERAL GARFIELD.--DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.--NOMINAT...

18. CHAPTER XVII.

INAUGURATION OF GENERAL GRANT FOR FIRST TERM.--POPULAR ENTHUSIASM.-- HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.--APPROVES FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.--ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS CABINET.--GENERAL SURPRISE.--E. B...

20. CHAPTER XIX.

EVENTS OF INTEREST.--IN DIPLOMACY AND RECONSTRUCTION.--THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.--ANNEXATION TREATY.--DEFEATED BY SENATE.--PRESIDENT GRANT RENEWS THE EFFORT.--COMMISSION SENT TO S...

19. CHAPTER XVIII.

SENATE IN THE FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.--HANNIBAL HAMLIN ELECTED FOR THE FOURTH TERM.--MATTHEW H. CARPENTER.--HIS DOUBLE LOAD OF WORK.--CARL SCHURZ.--ALLEN G. THURMAN.--WILLIAM G. B...

21. CHAPTER XX.

RESENTMENT AGAINST ENGLAND.--POPULAR FEELING IN THE UNITED STATES.-- CONDUCT OF THE PALMERSTON MINISTRY.--HOSTILE SPEECHES IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.--MR. ROEBUCK.--LORD ROBERT CE...

24. CHAPTER XXIII.

PRESIDENT GRANT'S SECOND INAUGURATION.--COMPLAINS OF PARTISAN ABUSE.-- ORGANIZATION OF FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS.--PROMINENT MEMBERS OF SENATE AND HOUSE.--DEATH OF CHARLES SUMNER.--I...

26. CHAPTER XXV.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1876.--REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR NOMINATION.-- CONVENTION AT CINCINNATI, JUNE 14, 1876.--REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.-- BALLOTING.--NOMINATION OF HAYES AND WHEE...

22. CHAPTER XXI.

OPENING FORTY-SECOND CONGRESS.--DEPOSITION OF CHARLES SUMNER FROM CHAIRMANSHIP OF FOREIGN RELATIONS.--EXCITING DEBATE.--GRAVE INJUSTICE TO MR. SUMNER.--DEMOCRATIC SENATORS OPPOS...

25. CHAPTER XXIV.

THE PUBLIC CREDIT.--FIRST LAW ENACTED UNDER PRESIDENT GRANT.-- DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION.--THURMAN, GARRETT DAVIS, BAYARD.--PRESIDENT GRANT'S FIRST MESSAGE.--FUNDING BILLS DISCUSSED...

27. CHAPTER XXVI.

INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT HAYES.--HIS SOUTHERN POLICY.--APPOINTMENT OF HIS CABINET.--ORGANIZATION OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.--RE- ELECTION OF SPEAKER RANDALL.--SILV...

28. CHAPTER XXVII.

THE QUESTION OF THE FISHERIES.--ORIGIN OF AMERICAN RIGHTS.--EARLY DISPUTES.--TREATY OF 1782.--TREATY OF GHENT.--TREATY OF 1818.-- RECIPROCITY TREATY.--JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.--FI...

29. CHAPTER XXVIII.

FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS.--EXTRA SESSION.--ORGANIZATION OF HOUSE.--OF SENATE.--LEADING MEN IN EACH.--DEMOCRATIC GAIN IN INFLUENCE.--CONTROL OF BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE.--DEATH OF SENAT...

1. Volume II.